A/N: Yes, that's right, this is an interlude if you didn't read the title of the chapter. No, I haven't gotten anywhere with the real next chapter. But you get this instead. Merry (late) Christmas -or whatever holiday you celebrate if at all- you all.

Interlude

It was snowing that day. Hikaru sighed as he looked out the large windows from his spot at his work desk. Thinking about how he would be able to hurry home by public transit in this weather was one thing, but to drop by the Go Association and pick up his two rambunctious students and then hurry home safely was another thing; especially more so after a tiring day at work. But as he thought about it, he only had himself to blame. Akari had wanted to meet the boys again, and decided that as the boys would be let out for winter break by the time Hikaru was off on vacation time, that it would be a great idea to invite the two to stay over for a weekend. Hikaru, not one to usually refuse Akari what she wanted, agreed to the sleep over. Anything regarding receiving permission from the boys' parents and pick-up and drop off times were dealt with swiftly by Akari and the boys' respective mothers.

Going back to the task on hand, Hikaru discreetly took a look at the clock hanging on the far wall, taking note of the time, 5:43 p.m. He still had another forty or so minutes until his shift ends. Sighing, he returned to his work, resolving not to pay too much attention to the time, and rather focus on the paperwork before him.

Forty minutes came and passed, and Hikaru, still working on double checking the information on the papers for any discrepancies, did not notice that many of his co-workers were starting to leave. One of them, a stocky man with thinning hair, tapped on Hikaru's shoulder to try and get his attention.

Looking up, Hikaru asked questioningly, "Yes, Yamahisa-san? Is something you need me for?"

Yamahisa chuckled good naturedly, as he gestured to the clock on the far wall, "Isn't it about time you start heading home Shindo-san? You wouldn't want to keep your pretty wife waiting on Christmas Day do you?"

Hikaru glanced at the time displayed on the clock, and his eyes widened. He quickly started shuffling papers into neater piles, and shoved them into various large manila envelopes and into his desk drawer. Reaching for his backpack, and rushing to get his jacket on, he gave a rushed good bye and heartfelt thanks to his co-worker before running off to catch the train.

Running up the steps to the Go Association, Hikaru hoped that he did not make the two boys wait too long for him. He had been delayed for a good half hour due to the trains running slower due to weather conditions, and the sheer volume in riders that day. Taking in deep breaths to slow his pounding heart from the sprint from the train station, he then walked to the entrance of the building to find the two boys sitting at the doors and waiting for him.

"Ohka-kun, Taguchi-kun!" Hikaru called to the boys, waving his arm in greeting. "You ready to leave?"

The two boys looked up at the sound of Hikaru's voice, and they smiled. Standing up quickly, they brushed off the snow from their clothes and each picked up their backpack. They rushed eagerly to where Hikaru stood a few feet away, bouncing all the while in excitement. It was the first time they were to stay over at their mentor's place after all!

"Ready for departure, sir!" Taguchi said solemnly, while he mock saluted to Hikaru. Ohka, on the other just nodded his head to indicate he was also ready, but the sparkle in his eyes belayed his own excitement.

Smiling at Taguchi's antics, Hikaru mock saluted back, and said in a commanding voice, "At ease cadets. We shall now proceed with the operation. Forward, march!"

It took the three males about an hour before they arrived back at Hikaru and Akari's home. And when they arrived, all three were drenched from head to toe. Akari was not so amused at the sight, especially when the three males dragged soaking wet clothing around on the wooden floors, and generally creating a mess. So she sent the three into the bath to wash off the mud and melted snow off, and to change into clean and dry clothing. As soon as the three stepped out, she handed each a dry rag and a bucket of soapy water, and directed them towards the dripping mess they had made and ordered to clean up, otherwise there was to be no dinner for them.

With the threat of food being withheld from him, Hikaru quickly got on his knees and started wiping the mess away. Ohka and Taguchi, however, were not as intimidated, but they soon joined Hikaru on their knees when they smelled the delicious aroma of food wafting from the kitchen.

After everything was cleaned and put away, the three were greeted by Akari, and a table full of sumptuous looking food awaiting them in the dining area. To the side, in the living area was even a goban set up, along with two goke and seat cushions placed on two sides of the goban. Hikaru looked to Akari with the question showing his expression.

Akari just smiled, "I thought that you might want to play some Go afterwards, so I went over to your grandfather's place and asked to borrow a goban. He was quite thrilled you know. We should definitely visit him sometime Hikaru."

Hikaru nodded. Yes, that would be a good thing to do. He vaguely remembered his grandfather telling him about the days when he was young and an amateur Go champion. It would be a good experience for his students to play against his grandfather and see how they fare. Glancing at his students, he could tell that they were much more excited at the prospect of staying up late and playing Go all night, and he smiled. Children were so energetic and easily excitable.

"Alright boys, you can play as much Go as you want later, but first, it's time for dinner," Hikaru said, redirecting the boys' attention back to the food on the dinner table. "I, for one, am starving."

"Well, what are you waiting for? Let's eat then!" Taguchi all but shouted, shooting towards the table and taking a seat. "The sooner we finish eating, the sooner we can play Go!"

And with that to encourage him, Ohka joined Taguchi at the table. Hikaru laughed outright at the boys' antics, while Akari merely smiled at the sight.